From the wastewater from the US Navy base in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, it was found that organic fluorine compounds, which have been pointed out to be harmful, were detected in excess of the national values.


Since the cause and the impact on the surrounding environment are unknown at this time, Yokosuka City is requesting the government to clarify the detailed situation.

According to Yokosuka City, on the night of June 29, the US side reported to the Ministry of Defense that the organic fluorine compounds PFOS and PFOA may have leaked from the wastewater from the US Navy Yokosuka base.



When the Ministry of Defense dispatched staff to the site on the 30th, bubbles were confirmed at the wastewater treatment plant at the base in early May, and as a result of the investigation, the government provided provisional water such as tap water from a part of the wastewater. It was explained that more than 50 nanograms of organic fluorine compound per liter, which is the guideline value, was detected.



The cause is unknown in the explanation of the US military, and the detailed value is not shown, so the Ministry of Defense is collecting the surrounding seawater and proceeding with the analysis.



According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, PFOS and PFOA have been pointed out to have harmful effects in animal experiments, etc. Currently, manufacturing and importing are prohibited in principle and use is restricted, but fire extinguishing used in the event of an aircraft fire It means that it was contained in the agent.



The city is asking the US military and the country to investigate the cause and confirm the impact on the surrounding environment.